What do you do?

[chinchillachic18]

ok so im not sure where this post fits so bare with me here onder:

Ok so im sure many of you understand that epilepsy limits you in certain ways,

and im just wondering..what do you do for fun? Let me describe my situation..

Im 18, I cant work or drive, and all my friends are working or in college. I dont get to hang out with them very much and when i do its always late at night :/ it sucks. cause i dont start college still mid january. and i dont have a job to distract me. and of course since i dont work, i have no money. I live with my mom but she never really home. So right now im getting bored and depressed very easily. Not to mention its winter here and i have S.A.D.

Can anyone relate to this? Ive tried many things like art and reading but it just doesnt cut it.

Any ideas? im desperate :crying:

 

[hawke86]

Have you considered volunteer work to take your mind off boredom and depression?

 

[dfwtexas]

I have taken up photography. Its great because my best friend is a photog and she will take me out to do some nature shoots with her. But I find some interesting things to take pics of around the house (my dogs are my fav)
In the summer, I like gardening.
But I am old fart...I know being held back when you are so young can be hard.

 

[Bernard]

Hi CCC, welcome to the forum. :hello:

Just because you aren't enrolled in college doesn't mean you can't study and learn. Find out what books they are using in whatever courses you want to take at college and get started! :twocents:

 

[skillefer]

Hi Chinchilla! Welcome to CWE. Actually, when I was your age, I had a part time job. But, if you can't work, then I'd go ahead and do some volunteer work.

 

[chinchillachic18]

I would like to volunteer but there isnt anything around where i live and thats where the car thing comes in...

the bus doesnt get me where i need to go either. My mom is home on the weekends so thats really the only time i can do anything..but thats the only time im NOT bored. :dontknow: :?

 

[skillefer]

Have you checked to see if there's any buses, shuttles, or other public transportation available? Are you allowed to ride a bike?

 

[Bernard]

I forgot to mention that many colleges allow you to get class credit for taking CLEP tests. You can study for these tests and earn credit for classes to be ahead of the game when you are able to enroll in college.

 

[Lil 1]

Bicycle?

Renovate your bedroom? This could mean just painting a wall or re-arranging all of the furniture.

Start some wicked hobby... make gifts for Christmas this year... no job probably means no extra cash so this would take care of both situations.

PRE-READ! Mid January is going to sneak up on you so fast and suddenly you will behind on all of your reading, struggling to make enough time to get assignments done to the perfection you would like and just wishing you had some of that spare time you have now. I just finished my University Degree and the people who do the best in their classes read... read... read. I always had the most success when I started reading my texts in advance of the term... get a few chapters ahead so that when time starts to get cramped you will still be on top of things; not to mention you will also be on top of things in class when the professor asks questions... making you look amazing!

 

[Stacy]

Hi and welcome!

I'm in a bit of the same boat, but my schedule is overbooked. I love photography and am asked constantly to take pictures... and edit them. Teach yourself (from library books, Cds, DVD's, etc,) about something and get on it.

I'm head recruiter for my son's scout pack, (takes up more time that I volunteered for, but I love it). I have a voice in the city council (I'll get up and speak concerning issues that I'm passionate about). I love to support the Fire Department locally, and I know there are several people who go to volunteer that cannot drive or things like that. They are ablet o wash the trucks, stuff envelopes, and do menial tasks that not all the volunteers have time for.

I help with P.R. by calling members of the Chamber of Commerce and asking for support. I'm sure they get tired of hearing from me... "Hello Jack, This is Stace, with the Fire Dept. You wanna give a donation for a door prize for the Open House?." "Hello Jack, this is Stace, you got time to do a tour of the store for the scouts?" "Hello Jack, can the scouts sell popcorn in front of your store?" "Hello, Jack... you get the idea...) (I sure love Jack... he's always ready to help the community)

I've written a book, but it costs money to publish... lots.... I have nothing left, but have managed to publish it. You'll be able to get it within the week. Fletcher the Fly. (Children's book age 1st grade and younger)... I'm very happy with it.

I'm not stupid, and I'm not willing to let my life pass me by. You sound smart yourself. Take the bull by the horns and get moving! Find something that interests you and learn more. Say you'd like to be a dental assistant when you "grow up"... offer to work for a dentist for 1/2 price or part time.... Just get him to teach you.

Start a journal... diary... scrapbook... press leaves and catalog them. You'd be amazed at the many things you can do to keep busy. Offer to pet / baby sit... clean fish tanks... Learn a new language.... watch Dancin' With the Stars and figure out how to dance....

smile and wave, baby, smile and wave.

 

[RobinN]

How can you top that...

(you made me smile Stace)

 

[Bernard]

... but my schedule is overbooked.

Admitting the problem is half the battle. :roflmao:

 

[alivenwell]

It's so much of a bummer to not drive. I've also been on both sides of the fence.

Driving is the mere act of putting a key in a hole, pushing a few pedals and navigating around a few aggressive other rude drivers.

Music is my major hobby. Youtube and Sperber's auditorium has all kinds of great music to help distract you.

For college, I studied some coursework ahead of time so I could slack off in classes or have a little extra time to socialize. They allowed me to go for a summer and take 2 classes prior to my full 4 year workload. It gave me a chance to adjust to dorm life. If you're alone and it's quiet, that won't be the case in college dorm life. Appreciate the peace while you still have it.

If you're living in the US, you might want to check to see if your state has Vocational Rehabilition services. If they're available, sometimes they will partially pay college funds. They require testing ahead of time (IQ and proof of epilepsy) and a C average (or above ) in college. PA has that type of program. This has to be coordinated with a federal FAFSA loan as well. That requires some paperwork on your mom's part.

 

[ziggidypoo]

Welcome to our "family"!!

Yep, this is my first year since I was 16, and I'm 52 and had to turn in my license for a state ID. Hurt my feelings bad.

I always enjoyed working and drawing a paycheck. On all jobs you have supervisors or coworkers that you don't jive with, but I did my best.

Usually my husband, God rest his soul, would decide to move out of state and we'd be on the road again. At the time, so young, I did not understand, but now that I am older, I realize that he was just constantly trying to improve and make more money to get by on.

However, it would mess me up with college and work, etc. Not to mention the children with school and such.

But, ya do what ya gotta do at the time, the best way ya know how to, I reckon.

Having epilepsy in my temporal lobe all of my life and not treated most of my life, I could never cope w/ the stress of production work.

I've worked so many and such varied jobs it's not funny.

Now, I spend my time trying to encourage other people and go about town when my E is controlled (not lately) spreading laughter and joy to others. It's not much, but, you'd be surprized at what others are going through in their lives and what just a kind word can do.

It may not be making money, but, money can't buy JOY!!

But, giving up my license was killer bad.

So, I just scooter-poot around in my mobilized wheel chair now.

C'est la vie!!

 

[alivenwell]

Zig, I also see people in my area getting around in golf carts that aren't gasoline powered. It's all in the perspective, I suppose.